The retail giant said today (January 15) that it will be speaking with 74 workers, known as 'colleagues', at the Sovereign Shopping Centre branch over the coming weeks.

The proposed closure is part of Marks and Spencer's plan to alter its portfolio of UK properties, which was first announced in November 2016.

Part of the plan is aimed at enticing shoppers to its website, with the brand hoping to have one-third of all sales online by 2022.

The store is located in the Sovereign Shopping Centre (Image: Getty/Tony Baggett)

John Dorrington, Marks & Spencer's head of region for the South West, said: “Deciding to propose the closure of our Weston-super-Mare store has been extremely difficult.

"Over the coming weeks our priority will be supporting each colleague individually as we go through the consultation process.

“If the proposal goes ahead, we remain committed to our loyal customers and will continue to serve them from our other stores in the region, including M&S Cribbs Causeway and our nearby Foodhall in Flowerdown.

"Alongside our food offering, customers visiting these locations can shop for Clothing & Home products in store or via our Click & Collect service on M&S.com.”

15 other stores across the UK have also been earmarked for closure as part of today's announcement.